PRIDE comes before a fall, but Aidy Boothroyd (left) conceded he knew what might be coming for his Hornets at Stamford Bridge.

Last week's first league win over Middlesbrough had raised expectations for the promoted side.

But after a Carling Cup exit and a thumping by Chelsea, the Watford manager was determined to accentuate the positives.

"The win didn't give us as much of a lift as people might think," said Boothroyd. "We knew that if we kept doing what we'd been doing we would be all right. We've drawn six games which shows we've been competitive and come close to winning them.

"We weren't overawed by the occasion, but we knew at some stage we'd come up against sides more aggressive than us."